Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-11-19

| indeed! 1naL diversion. HOW 1un~
ny the portrait looks All, if be should
see itr'
Maud frowned. ~-
"rd like to burn the old thing"
but you couldn't my love; there's
no fire, thank fortunen'
Listen to this impudence!' crieC
Maud. and began to read aloud:
"MY DEAR Miss MAUD-Though l ha W
known YOU so short time, do not believe
you will be wholly surprised to learn that
have come to regard YOU as more than
friend. In fact have grown TO care for You
more than ever cared for any girl l almost
believe can never be happy without you
know you know that am a gentleman; even
think you like me little and will soon like
me more. / can offer you a name upon whose
honor no stain has ever fallen. OF course we
are both too young for an immediate marriage,
but hope that some day we may become all
all to each other. / will call to see you
this afternoon at , and hope for an answer
which will make me happy Till then and al
ways Your own
GODFREY"
"'My dear Miss Maud. your own
Godfrey" repeated Miss Fortescue.
"Ah, my child. did not warn thee?
Well. what to do?'
Maud covered the portrait with an
impetuous movement
"Pll give the presumptuous youth
little lesson, she answered, "Mr. Meal
lister says he has an evalted idea of Is
powers; that he's been virtually en-
gagged to little girl down at his home
for sometime past"
As 2 o'clock approached Mr.. God
frey's heart beat with confident exhilar-
alton. He meant to show his friend
McAllister thing or two. McAlliSter
had undertaken to remind him of Mabel
Clare. He tossed mis- head as he re-
membered this. Il guess there amt
many girls but would be glad of Il
chance at me-" he said. as he set out
for Miss Satterlee's studio. He expect
ed shat Maud would be shy at first.
But gradually she would come around.
He purchased large bunch of roses as
he proceeded on his way
Maud was alone-apparently She
smiled and took the roses with many
thanks.
"Pray sit down." she said. "You
look quite warm"
Mr.. Godfrey drew up a chair.
You received nv note?"
"Your note? Oh, yes, of course"
"And what did you think of the
idea?" he queried, with delightful self
complacency.
"What did think? Why, of course.
1 thought you meant it as a joke. I'm
sure hope you did. because you know,
or rather you ought to know, though.
perhaps. you don't know, and I'm sure
I'd feel dreadful if 1 thought you'd
been led to suppose-the truth is. Mr..
Waring. I'm engaged-to gentleman
who is now in Europer'
Godfrey turned pale.
"Engagedr he cried, tragically.
"Why. for that matter. so am l, But
I'd break any engagement for your
Maud arose. looking very grave.
al am sorry to hear you say so.
have heard so much about southern
honor"
But you won't decide at once" he
stammered. Promise me to think il
over"
Miss Maud regarded him coldly.
you must have misunderstood me.
There is nothing further to be said, and
will you please excuse me?" She
turned toward the other room, ana
Godfrey had no choice but to leave. He
was in such a state of mind between
disappointment and chagrin that he left
his hat upon the sofa and went bare.
headed all the way down the street
He had gone half a block when he
discovered why people were staring at
him. Then-could he 90 back? Oh,
no! And yet the hat was new. and
Godfrey was Just little close about un-
necessary expense. He therefore re-
turned and climbed the stairs softly.
hoping she might still be in the inner
room and would not hear him enter.
But as he reached the threshold IF
the studio he was greeted with an
astonishing sight Not only Maud. but
also Miss Fortescue had emerged from
the inner room; they apparently were
taking great pleasure in regarding
picture upon the easel. which had been
moved from its customary position.
They stood with their backs to the
door.
IAN excellent likeness" said Miss
Fortescus. and the two young ladies
laughed heartily.
Il might pity him." said Maud, "if
he weren't so capable of pitying-no,
adoring himself.
Just then they moved little, and
Godfrey caught glimpse of his own
portrait, ragged, hated. flannel gar
mented-plainly almost a caricature.
For a moment he was fairly stunned;
then, turning. he fled. hatless as before
and choking with gaSps of rage and
modification. to the street He ran
thus for several blocks before he
thought of halter.
He kept out of McAllister's sight